Walk -
The Cove - Gwennap Head - Roskestal Walk

Difficulty

Easy

Start

Porthgwarra Carpark - TR19 6JR

Finish

Porthgwarra Carpark

Length

2.3 miles (3.8 km)

Summary

One of Four walks around the South West Coast Path starting from Gwennap Head; but with as many as seven different loops all leaving from the Porthgwarra car park, there are many possible mix-and-match routes, providing a walk for every occasion! There are cliffs and blowholes, saints and seabirds, theatres and underwater communications systems, all spread around an area of heathland dotted with the relics of the past and fringed with crystal waters lapping on sandy coves.

Route Description

A brief stroll through a rocky wilderness of plunging crevasses and soaring buttresses, where buzzards wheel over the downs above and nesting seabirds call from the ledges. The coastline has been sculpted and hollowed by the crashing waves which wash around the islets just offshore and through the caves they have carved at the base of the spectacular cliffs. People have lived and worked in this area for many thousands of years, and the heathland is littered with faint remnants of prehistoric dwellings, fortifications and field systems, overlaid with other overgrown relics of later periods.

From The Cove Cornwall take the Lamorna Valley road inland. At the junction with the B3315 turn left signposted Lands End. Follow this road for over 5 miles. After the turning to Porthcurno look for the minor road on the left as the B3315 turns sharp right at Polrigga. Take the turning signposted Porthgwarra 1½ miles. Continue on this road winding past Roskestal Farm until you reach Porthgwarra. Follow the signs to the Pay and Display car park.

From the Porthgwarra car park turn left towards the sea and pick up the South West Coast Path on your right above the tiny boulder beach. Follow the path around Gwennap Head to carry on around the cove at Porth Loe.

Stay with the Coast Path as it pulls out around Pellitras Point and Black Carn, carrying on above Folly Cove and cutting across the headland Carn Barra to Ardensawah Cliff beyond.

Take the bridleway on your right, turning about-face to cut back across the open heathland on Rôskestal West Cliff. For a longer walk take the next bridleway on the left to Arden-Sawah Farm and follow the route described from here in the Bosistow Walk above; but otherwise ignore all the paths on the left to continue to the track heading back to Gwennap Head, bearing left onto it to return to the car park.

If you spot any problems or changes to this walk please email the details to [email protected] so we can get it fixed for those that follow in your footsteps.